Not to nitpick, but.....

My player was too busy with The Who’s gritty “Teenage Wasteland” to bother with Taylor’s gag-inducing “When you’re 15.”

 The title of the song is Baba O'Riley, not Teenage Wasteland, Diane.

Breaking chains

I'm sure a lot of people will be wailing and gnashing their teeth about the demise of McFadden's on Front St.  I'm sure the propaganda wing of the Research Bureau will find a way to make McFadden's closing a perfect example of the inequities of the dual tax rate.

Personally, I can't say I'm sorry to see it go. I don't like seeing any business fail in Downtown, because I spend time there and don't find it as scary and menacing as the posters on the T&G message boards (with the exception of Gabe's comment...bravo!).

I won't shed a tear over the closing of a boring, unoriginal chain bar/restaurant with mediocre food and bad DJs, especially when there are so many better options within walking distance (even on a frigid winter night).

I'd much rather spend my time at The Dive Bar, Tammany Hall, Fiddler's Green, The Lucky Dog, 55 Pearl or the Armsby Abbey, all of which are located at the heart of the scary ghost town known as Downtown Worcester.  They all possess unique qualities that make them good places to visit and return, whether it is good food, great live music, or great beer.

Timothy McGourthy, the director of economic development for Worcester doesn't seem to understand that:

"“The owner said there are a few interested parties for that space,” he said. “That's a positive sign. This is one of those things that happen in a tough economy. But there are those that see this as an opportunity. The city will be supportive of whoever comes next.” Mr. McGourthy said McFadden's had a rich population of professional workers and students to draw from downtown, but was not able to remain with steady business through the day. He said that the delay of $564 million mixed-use CitySquare probably did not play a role in the company's decision to pull out. “They had a population in downtown that would go out to lunch, but they were never able to really capture it,” he said of McFadden's. “We want CitySquare, but we have to have something that brings people in. We will help whoever goes in there address the issue of being able to bridge the full day.”

 They didn't have steady business because they wasn't a reason for people to return! 

Christmas return lines...

I've never returned a gift... but for those who have, I stumbled across this video by Garfunkel and Oates.

More Christmas music

I can't spend a Christmas without this classic by John Lennon:

"We'll knock the milkmaids over and roll them in the clover"

I caught The Brennan Brothers at the Worcester Hibernian Cultural Centre on Friday night, and they managed to surprise me with a Makem and Clancy song I had never heard before, Drink Up the Cider. I hope they keep it in their repertoire...perhaps they can replace Ratlin Bog, permanently!

I was disappointed to hear that SueAnn and Bill Dolan are being replaced in the kitchen at Fiddler's Green. They will be missed, along with their Tomato Basil Bisque!

Ultimate Christmas mix

I've been slacking lately on my Christmas playlist, but here's some more choices:

Cheech and Chong's Santa Claus and His Old Lady always makes me laugh. It's corny, ridiculous, and commercial, yet it works for me.



When I was a kid, I always needed to listen to the Muppet's Christmas album with John Denver, and Noel: Christmas Eve, 1913 was a favorite.

More Christmas music

I think I will count down the remaining days until Christmas with music that I actually enjoy hearing.

Here's another favorite, off of one my desert island albums, If I Should Fall From Grace With God:

The Pogues - A Fairytale Of New York
Uploaded by vince_suelze. - Music videos, artist interviews, concerts and more.

I've always felt that Fairytale of New York was the sequel to Rainy Night in Soho, another Pogues classic:

"Maybe I should put a bucket over my head and a marshmallow in each ear."- Ani Difranco

I had the misfortune of hearing a Mariah Carey Christmas song this afternoon. I firmly believe that the majority of all pop Christmas music is complete and utter mindless filler, and about as emotionally filling as a Twinkie. Every Christmas I swear that I'll make my ultimate Christmas mix...perhaps this will be the year.

Here's a Christmas song that captures the season and will definitely be on my list:



While I'm on my soapbox, here's a post from Michael Boyle that captures that same spirit.

Rest In Peace, Liam Clancy

Liam Clancy passed away today at the age of 74.

I have many fond memories of seeing him perform at Mechanics Hall with Tommy Makem and his brothers. He would always play Worcester sometime around St. Patrick's Day, and my family would sit in the balcony over the stage. Every show was amazing- full of stories, jokes, and sing-a-longs. Liam was gifted with one of the greatest voices to ever grace a stage, and he will be missed.

May he rest in peace.

Here he is with Tommy Makem performing one of my favorite songs:

Two Rhapsodies in the same week?

Are you sick of the Tiger Woods story?  Are you sick of the large amount of ink devoted to it and the huge number of on air stories speculating about a fender bender?

So is Jon Stewart.

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Tiger Woods Newzak
www.thedailyshow.com
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I couldn't have said it better myself...although I might have been able to sing better than Stewart, and that is not a compliment to my voice or his!

Muppet Rhapsody!

Nothing beat the Muppets! Especially when it features the Swedish Chef and Lew Zealand!

Two nights, two shows

Friday I caught Guns of Navarone at Beatnik's on Park Ave.

Nice spot for a show, great energetic band, and Long Trail on tap makes for a good night, even if I had to work the next day. I liked the new stuff that Guns played in their 2nd set, especially Lover's Rock (I think that was it- the 4th or 5th Long Trail might have jumbled the name in my memory.) The long winding song/story about trying to play reggae for Sarah Palin was fantastic, but I didn't catch the name of the song. I hope they play it again the next time I see them.

Saturday I saw Derek Warfield and The Young Wolfe Tones at the Worcester Hibernian Cultural Centre.

This was my first time seeing Derek with The Young Wolfe Tones, and they didn't disappoint! Damaris Woods was impressive on banjo, setting the tone and tempo all night without fail. I wanted them to play my favorite song, and they did towards the end of the second set.

I only had one gripe about the show, and it had nothing to do with the band, but with the karaoke in the pub next door in Fiddler's Green. The soundproofing doesn't work at all, and Derek's ramblings were often interspersed with off key renditions of Light My Fire and other classic songs reinterpreted/butchered just a few feet away. In the future, I hope the Cultural Centre doesn't book karaoke on nights where they have a band playing in the room next door.

I finished off the night next door at The Dive Bar with an Anderson November Bock. Amazing beer- it tasted like Fall in a glass. I usually try every new beer on the board when I am at the Dive, but I stuck with the November Bock the whole night.